Fluid delivery apparatus



March 30, 1943. J CHURCHWARD 2,315,085

FLUID DELIVERY APPARATUS Filed April 15, 1940 INVENTOR 84 Jack Cl:urchwanz.

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUIDDELIVERY APPARATUS Jack Churchward, New Haven, Conn. Application April13, 1940, Serial No. 329,410 (01. 221-67) 11 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid delivery apparatus and more particularlyto an improved apparatus of such nature, in which a hose reel isprovided, which is adapted to be power driven, and which is furtheradapted for use in association with fluids, such as oil, water, or gas,delivery trucks, such as oil tank trucks, flre engines, tree sprayingapparatus, air compressors, and the like.

In most instances, the hose used in the delivery of fuel oil, gasoline,and the transmission ,of water from a flre engine of the type commonlyknown as booster engines, tree spraying appa-v ratus, and air from aircompressors, is wound upon a reel and may be carried on a'portabletruck, or like vehicle, from which it is manually unwound when thevehicle is at the place where the delivery of the fluid is desired.Provision is generally made whereby the reel may be manually rotatedafter the delivery has been made to wind the hose thereon. In oil, orlike, delivery trucks, the fluid is drawn from supply tanks by a pumparranged to be driven by the engine used for propelling the truck, whilein fire engines, of the above nature, the water flowing from the tank isacted upon by a booster pump to increase its pressure.

In accordance with the features and principles of this invention it isproposed to use the force of the flow of the fluid such as liquid, orgas, caused by the oil, water, gas, or like, pump, to actuate suitablemeans to rotate the reel to wind the hose thereon, when the flow of thefluid, through the hose, is shut off. One objectof this invention,therefore, is to provide an improved fluid delivery apparatus includingthe above features.

Another object is to provide in apparatus of the above nature, a hosereel, and controlled means to rotate the hose reel which is actuated bythe fluid in the system after its flow through the hose has beenstopped, or otherwise interrupted.

Another object is to provide an improved power driven hose reel for afluid delivery apparatus of the above nature, and means to control thespeed at which the hose reel is rotated.

Still another object is to provide in a fluid delivery apparatus of theabove nature, means actuated by the flow of fluid in the apparatus torotate the hose reel, and means to regulate the flow of fluid to saidreel rotating means.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved fluiddelivery apparatus which will be relatively inexpensive to manufacture,simple in construction, and which is very efficient and durable in use.

With these and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, there has been illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, one form in which the invention may be conveniently embodied inpractice.

In the drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate like partsthroughout the several views:

Figure 1 illustrates the rear end of a fluid delivery apparatus, or oildelivery truck, which embodies the features and principles of thisinvention:

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a hose reel included in thestructure of such apparatus;

Figure 3 is a front view of the same;

Figure 4 is a schematic view of the piping system for the fluid deliveryapparatus illustrated;

Figure 5 is a schematic view of a modified arrangement of the pipingsystem for the fluid delivery apparatus: and

Figure 6 is a schematic view of the piping system when the apparatus isused with an air compressor, or the like.

The fluid delivery apparatus shown is one illustration of the embodimentof the features and principles of this invention, but it is to beunderstood that this invention is not to be limited to the specificapplication illustrated. For instance, the novel features of thisinvention are obviously useful in any fluid delivery apparatus whichincludes a hose reel and means to cause a flow of fluid through the hosefrom a, source of supply, and wherein the apparatus permits a by-passcircuit to be included about said flow causing means.

It is to be further understood that the term fluid as used herein isintended to refer to liquids and gases, such as oil, water, and air.

The fluid delivery apparatus shown in the drawings, includes the reartank section II of a plurality of sections, usually provided in a fueloil tank truck of any of the well-known forms 01' such trucks. Pipes l2lead from these tanks to a manifold I 3, usually disposed at the rear ofthe truck. The tank II is provided with a filling spout I 4 and themanifold l3 with drainage cocks IS. A pump i6, see Figure 4, is providedwhich is adapted to be operated from a power take-off I'I leading fromthe truck propelling means including a clutch, not shown, through asuitable universal joint indicated at l8. An intake pipe I 9 leads fromthe manifold l3, thus being in connection with a pipe l2 from a tank II, to the pump I6, and a delivery pipe 2| leads from the pump l6 to theusual air release device 22 from which a pipe 23 leads to a meter 24.From the meter 24 a pipe 25 leads to a connection 28 at the side of ahose reel 21.

The hose reel 21 is provided with a "hose connection 28 adjacent theperiphery of its hose receiving drum 28, and which is connectedto theconnection 25 and is adapted to have a hose 3| connected thereto. Thehose reel 21, and its connections to the pipe 25, may be any one of thewell-known constructions. A nozzle 32 is provided, at the free end ofthe hose 3|, which is provided with a shut-oil valve 33 adapted to beactuated by a handle, or flnger grip, 34. In most instances, the pipesystem above described is provided with a pressure relief valve 35,which is included in a. by-pass pipe line 38, and which is set to openat from 35 to 40 poimds pressure. The meter 24 may be of the well-knownand often used automatic shut-off type whereby, after permitting thedelivery of a determined and desired quantity of, fluid, it shuts oilthe flow to the hose 3!.

The power driving means selected for rotating the reel 21 is illustratedas being an oil, or other fluid, motor 31 adapted to be actuated torotate its shaft 38 by the force of the flow of fluid therethrough, inthis instance, from an inlet pipe 38 to\an outlet pipe 4|. Preferablythe motor 31, in this instance, is one which will develop sumcientpower, when actuated by fluid under thirtyflve pounds pressure, torotate the reel 21. The inlet pipe 38 is connected through a flowcontrol valve 42 to the motor 31 and to the pump delivery pipe 2|,before the latter is connected to the air-release device 22. The outletpipe 4|, from the motor 31, is connected to the pump intake pipe I 8. Atthe jointure of the by-pass pipe line 36 with thepump outlet pipe 2| athree-way valve 44 may be installed, whereby the pipe line 38 may beclosed and the check valve 35 made inoperative, and tocause all of thefluid to pass along to the motor 31.

In the application of the features of this invention to a flre engine,or like apparatus, for instance tree spraying apparatus, etc., it isobvious that the tank II will be analogous to the fluid supplytanks ofsuch apparatus, and that the pump 21 will be analogous to the boosterpump of the flre engine, and to any suitable pump used with otherportable fluid delivery apparatus. In such apparatus, the air releasedevice 22,the manifold l3, and the meter 24 may be omitted from thesystem.

The reel 21'has the usual side flanges 45 and 48 disposed one at eitherside of the hose receiving drum 28 and rotates between suitable uprights41 and 48, by havingits shaft 49 journaled in suitable bearings and 52supported by the uprights 41 and .48 respectively. A sprocket 53,relatively large in diameter, is shown connected by suitable means 54 tothe flange 45 and is, through a chain 55, drivingly connected to asprocket 58, relatively small in diameter, rotatively mounted on theshaft 38 of the fluid motor 31. The hub of the sprocket 58 is hereinshown provided with clutch teeth 38 adapted to be engaged bycorresponding clutch teeth provided on a sleeve 48 keyed to but slidableon'the motor shaft 38. p

A swingable arm 58 is arranged in operative engagement with the sleeve48 to slide the same to engage'the aforesaid clutch teeth whereby thesprocket 55 will be driven by the motor 31. Gears, or pulleys and belts,could be used in place of the sprockets 53, 55, and the chain 55 ifdesired. A

bevel gear 51 is suitably secured to the sprocket 58 and is in mesh witha bevel gear 58, The

bevel gear 58 has its shaft 58 journaled inan upright 8|, which shaft 58extends outwardly through the upright 6| at right angles to the fluidmotor shaft 38 and is adapted to receive a crank handle 62 thereonwhereby the sprocket 56 may b manually rotated-to rotate the reel, ifdesired when the clutch teeth are disengaged.

If desired, the clutch arrangement above described between the sprocket58 and the motor shaft 38 may be omitted, and provision made to by-passthe fluid in the motor 31 to permit its shaft 38 to be" rotated manuallyby the crank 82. Such an arrangement is shown in Figure 5 wherein aby-pass system of pipes 60, including a normally closed valve 18 isshown connected between the motor inlet 38 and outlet 4|. rangement isused the sprocket 56 and bevel gear 51 are secured to the motor shaft 38and no clutch arrangement is required. When it is desired to manuallyrotate either the motor shaft 38, or the shaft 59, the by-pass valve 18is opened whereby fluid pressure in the motor 31 is relieved and thesprocket-58 may be rotated by hand to rotate the reel.

In the application of this invention as shown in the drawings the reel21 and the fluid motor 31 are disposed in a compartment 63, see Figure1, generally provided at the rear of the tank truck for this purpose.The compartment 63 is, in this instance, provided with rear doors 54 andadapted to close an end opening 68, admitting entrance into thecompartment from the rear, and a side door 61 adapted to close anopening 58, admitting entrance to the compartment from the side. In thisinstance the reel 21 is disposed in the compartment 63 so that the hose3| may be drawn therefrom through the side openings 68. A handle 69,provided for actuating the flow control valve 42, and the crank handle52 when it is connected to the bevel gear shaft 58 will be extendedthrough the side opening 88.

Upon reaching the place where fluid delivery is desired, the truck,carrying the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1-4 inclusive, is stopped,and the pump I5 is started by proper actuation of the truck drivingclutch, the motor control valve 42 and the nozzle valve 33 being closed.The three-way valve 44, when one is provided, is set to permit flow offluid through the by-pass pipe line 36, the check valve 35, and throughthe pump outlet pipe 2|. The sleeve 48 is moved to disengage the clutchteeth and the hose 3| is unwound from the reel 21 and its nozzle 32directed into, or at, the point of delivery, or of application, of thefluid. The valve 33 is then opened, by manipulation of the handle 34.and the fluid is delivered from the hose 3| whenever desired.

- When delivery of fluid is completed, the nozzle valve 33 is closed,thus stopping the flow of fluid through the hose 3|. The pump l8,however, is not shut ofi but is continued in operation whereupon thefluid pumped thereby, after a pressure of from 35 to 40 pounds, as thecase may be, is built up in the system, will be by-passed about the pumpthrough the pipe line 36v and the check valve 35 when the latter areprovided. The fluid motor control valve 42 may now be opened to startoperation of the fluid motor 31 and the sleeve 48 moved to engage theclutch teeth, whereupon the reel 21 will be rotated to wind up the hose8| thereon. By proper manipulation of the motor control valve 42 thespeed of the fluid motor 31 may be controlled Should more fluid pressurebe required to operate the motor 31 than is possible to obtain when theby-pass pipe line When this ar- 86 is in operative connection. thethree-way valve 44, when one is provided, is actuated .to close the pipeline 38 and cause all of the fluid to flow to the fluid motor 31.

Should the'supply of oil, or other fluid, being pumped by the pump it beexhausted in the pipe system whereby none is available to operate themotor 31, the reel 21 may be rotated bythe use of the manually operativecrank-handle 62 provided the sleeve 40 is moved to disengage the clutchteeth between this sleeve and the sprocket 58.

In instances where the clutch arrangement between the motor shaft 38 andthe sprocket .55 is not provided but instead the by-pass arrangementshown in Figure is used, the normally closed valve I0 is opened topermit manual actuation of the reel. In instances where the meter 24 isof the well-known and often used automatic type, which may be set topermit the delivery of a desired quantity of fluid and then shuts offthe flow to the hose 3!, the reel may be arranged to be rotated as soonas this action occurs by opening the valve 42 before the flow of fluidis so interrupted thus providing for an automatic operation of thisapparatus.

In some instances it may be desirable to omit the motor control valve42. When the valve 42 is omitted and the three-way valve 44 is includedthis latter valve may be used as a motor control valve, by lengtheningits operating handle II. The disposition of the motor control valve 42adjacent the reel 21, in position to be readily manipulated by theoperator'as he directs, or guides, the hose 3| upon the reel 21, hasbeen found to be very convenient, insuring proper control of thisoperation to prevent the hose 3| whipping, or tangling, as it is beingwound upon the reel 21. Obviously, when this apparatus is used on fireengines, or with tree spraying apparatus, the nieter 24 may be omitted.

.When the apparatus of this invention is used with an air, or gas,delivery mechanism, wherein an air compressor 12, see Figure 6, which isdriven by a motor I3, and is connected to a pressure tank '14 by a pipe15, and the tank 18 is connected by a pipe 16 to a hose 11 wound on areel 18, the reel rotating motor 19 has its inlet 8i connected to thepipe 18 by a pipe 82 through a control valve 83. In such an arrangement,the motor outlet 84 is connected to the source of air, or gas, in thisinstance, the atmosphere, as is also the intake 85 of the compressor 12,and is thus by-passed about the air, or gas, supplying means for thehose 11. Closing of the nozzle 88 on the outer end of the hose Tl willcause sufficient pressure to be built up in the tank 14 wherebythe'motor 19 may be operated to wind up the hose by rotating the reel 18when the control valve 83 is opened.

While there has been shown and described herein one form of an improvedfluid delivery apparatus. it is to be understood that the features andprinciples of this invention may be embodied in other forms withoutdeparting from its spirit.

an openable and closable nozzle at one of its ends, a rotatable reelupon which the hose may be wound, a fluid supply, a pump connected tosaid fluid supply and to said hose, and being operable to force fluidfrom the supply to and through said hose, a fluid motor connected tosaid reel to rotate it, said motor being connected as a bypass aboutsaid pump to be operated by the fluid pumped thereby when said hosenozzle is closed. 1

2. In fluid delivery apparatus, a portable vehicle having a source offluid supply thereon, a hose on said vehicle by which fluid may bedelivered remote from said vehicle, a rotatablereel on said vehicle andupon which said hose may be wound, fluid actuated means on said vehicleto rotate said reel and connected as a by-pass between said hose andsaid supply, and common means on said vehicle and selectively operableto force fluid from said supply to and through said hose, and to andthrough said reel rotating means to actuate the same.

3. In fluid delivery apparatus, a hose, a rotatable reel upon which saidhose may be wound, fluid actuated means to rotate said reel, a source offluid supply, means to cause a flow of fluid from said supply to saidhose, means to interrupt the flow of fluid from said hose, and a by-passcircuit for the fluid around said flow causing means and in which saidfluid actuated means is included to be actuated by fluid from said flowcausing means, and whereby it will be actuated when the flow of fluidthrough said hose is inter- It is therefore desired that the presentembodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive. and it will be further understood that each and every novelfeature and combination thereof, present in, or possessed by, theimproved apparatus herein disclosed, forms a part of the inventionincluded in this application.

What is claimed as new and for which it is desired to secure LettersPatent, is:

1. In-fluid delivery mechanism a hose having rupted.

4. In fluid delivery apparatus, a hose, 9. rotatable reel upon whichsaid hose may be wound, fluid actuated means to rotate said reel, asource of fluid supply, means to cause a flow of fluid from said supplyto said hose, means to interrupt the flow of fluid from said hose, and aby-pass circuit for the fluid around said flow causing means and inwhich said fluid actuated means is included to be actuated by fluid fromsaid flow causing means, and whereby it will be actuated when the flowof fluid through said hose is interrupted, and means to control the flowof fluid through said by-pass circuit to vary the speed of said fluidactuated reel rotating means.

5. In fluid delivery apparatus, a hose, a rotatable reel upon which saidhose may be wound, fluid actuated means drivingly connected to said reelto rotate it, a source of fluid supply, means to cause a flow of fluidfrom said supply to said hose, a by-pass circuit around said flowcausing means and in which said reel rotating means is connected, meansto interrupt the flow of fluid from said hose to cause it to flowthrough said by-pass, a controlled by-pass circuit for fluid around saidfluid actuatedmeans, and means to manually rotate said reel when saidcontrolled by-pass circuit is open.

6. In fluid delivery apparatus, a hose, a rotatable reel upon which saidhose may be wound, fluid actuated means drivingly connected to said reelto rotate it, a source of fluid supply, means to cause a flow of fluidfrom said supply to said hose, means to interrupt the flow of fluid fromsaid hose, and a by-pass circuit for the fluid around said flow causingmeans and in which said fluid actuated reel rotating means is includedwhereby it will be actuated when the flow oi fluid to said hose isinterrupted.

to permit delivery of a desired quantity of fluid and then to shut oi!the delivery thereof, and fluid actuated means to rotate said reelarranged as a by-pass around said flow causing means to be actuated by aflow of fluid therethrough when,

said meter operates to interrupt the flow of fluid to said hose. v

8. In a fluid, such as air, delivery apparatus, a hose by which airunder pressure is delivered, a reel upon which said hose may be wound,means to cause a flow of air under pressure to said hose, means torotate said reel, a source of air supply constituted 4 by the atmosphereto which said flow causing means and said reel rotating means areconnected, said reel rotating means being arranged as a by-pass aroundsaid flow causing means and said source of air supply.

'9. In combination, a single source of fluid supply, an operating fluidpump having its inlet connected to said fluid supply, a hose connectedto the outlet of said pump, a rotatable reel upon which said hose may bewound, a fluid motor drivingly connected to said reel to rotate it, afluid connection between the outlet and inlet of said pump and includingsaid fluid motor, and means to interrupt the flow of fluid out of saidhose to cause fluid to flow through said motor to actuate it to rotatesaid reel.

10. In combination, a single source of fluid supply, an operating fluidpump having its inlet connected to said fluid supply, a hose connectedto the outlet of said pump, a rotatable reel upon which said hose may bewound, a fluid motor drivingly connected to said reel to rotate it, afluid connection between the outlet and inlet of said pump and includingsaid fluid motor, means to interrupt the flow of fluid out oi said hoseto cause fluid to flow through said motor to actuate it to rotate saidreel, and a controllable by-pass circuit for the fluid betweenthe inletand outlet of said pump to release said motor from the actuating flow offluid therethrough.

11. In combination, a single source of fluid supply, an operating pumphaving an inlet and an outlet, said inlet being in connection with thesource of fluid supply, a hose connected to said outlet, a closablenozzle on said hose, a reel upon which said hose may be wound, a fluidmotor drivingly connected to said reel, said motor having an inlet andan outlet, said motor inlet being connected to the pump outlet, and saidmotor outlet being in connection with the source of fluid supply andthus forming a by-pass through which fluid caused to flow by said pumpwill flow to actuate said motor when said hose nozzle is closed tointerrupt the flow of fluid through said hose.

, JACK CHURCHWARD.

